Jing He blushed, his fingers twisting as he tried to think of a response. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find one. He really hadn’t meant anything like this … although now that Qiu Ling brought it up, he looked forward to it. His fiance had once read a poem from that collection to him and it had meant a lot to him. It still was a very cherished memory. To experience that again … he certainly wouldn’t say no to that opportunity.

Qiu Ling had actually just been joking. Or, well, it should be said that he only ever partly joked when it came to flirting with Jing He. These comments always contained suggestions he’d love to make true on but they also always came with the understanding that they were unlikely to be accepted by Jing He. In a way, maybe it would be best to call them hopeful ideas.

When his beloved didn’t answer, Qiu Ling once again gave up. He pulled out one of the chairs for Jing He but then thought better of it and took a seat himself, pulling Jing He onto his lap. Well … while reading love poems to each other was unlikely, sitting like this could be explained as being beneficial to looking at a map together.

To prove this point, he quickly took out a large map from his spatial ring and spread it out on the table. Anyway, as the dragon king, while he might not know where any plants grew, even if they were the most common ones in his kingdom, he certainly owned a lot of maps that showed parts of the dragon realm or even the other two immortal realms. There were even different notations on them. Surely, he’d have the perfect one for Jing He to point out where he had to go.

Jing He’s wandering thoughts were pulled back with the rustling of paper and he focused on the map in front of them. This one showed all three immortal realms, probably so that they wouldn’t miss any possible spots. But then, only the crystal lotus was rare while the peach and chrysanthemum were easy enough to find even in the capital city.

He didn’t think for long and motioned to the northern part of the Nine Heavens. “The most well-known place the crystal lotus grows at is in the Northern Heaven. In the southern part of the peninsula are a lot of lakes which mainly feature lotuses and the crystal lotus is one among them.” Jing He motioned at the scattered contours of several lakes and ponds in the region, his lips curving up in a smile.

He had never cultivated lotuses in his own garden, feeling that it would be too narcissistic to do so when this was the flower he had been named after. Admittedly, he thought them to be beautiful though, especially the crystal lotus which shimmered both by day and night, catching the light that passed through the clouds, and making the water below shine even brighter than the mere reflection it created by itself could manage.

“I have seen a few painting scrolls depicting those fields. It is … truly a sight to behold. My mother has been there and has told me about it but it can’t compare to seeing it with your own eyes.” Jing He sighed faintly. Oh, he longed to see those sights himself, now maybe more than ever. There was so much he hadn’t seen and experienced. These days, he only noticed it more.

Qiu Ling watched his expression and nodded slowly. Looking at the lines on the map, he couldn’t help but glance at the borders of the dragon realm drawn in the south. They … should probably have fields of crystal lotuses as well … right? After all, the dragons had always loved both water and air so the land they finally chose for themselves had been rich in both: Ponds, lakes, rivers, and even the sea were never far, no matter where in the realm you were, and the wind would rush over the empty fields or pass by the mountain tops, allowing you to easily soar up into the sky. These circumstances should be favorable to cultivating lotuses as well, shouldn’t they?

He didn’t mention this question to Jing He but simply noted it down for himself. As for the question of where to get the crystal lotus … “The Northern Heaven isn’t far away. It’ll be easy enough to get and from the sounds of it, it isn’t difficult to recognize either.”

Jing He pulled himself out of his thoughts and nodded. “Yes, you can’t go wrong when it comes to this specific variety. The petals look translucent, only showing the faintest trace of white or pink where they meet the stem. Even the seeds and leaves shimmer more than others. I suppose even from afar, it should be obvious what they are.”

Qiu Ling hummed. “Then it seems nothing stands between us and getting married.” He picked up a strand of Jing He’s, letting it run through his fingers before lifting it up and pressing a kiss on it. “To me, you shine just as brightly as any lotus could.”

Jing He’s cheeks flushed red once more. These words … could they truly be said like that? It didn’t seem right but Qiu Ling’s expression was so serious that he immediately doubted whether there really was something strange. Anyway, the crystal lotus did shine brightly in the light, and … well, to Qiu Ling, such a comparison might not be odd at all.

Qiu Ling raised his gaze and wondered if another corny comparison between Jing He’s face and that pink hue of the lotus petals might be a step too far. From what he knew, it did seem quite apt but then, he should wait and see for himself when he went to get the flower for them.

He lightly cleared his throat and tugged that strand of hair behind Jing He’s ear. “It seems this has been dealt with then. I’ll go and get the lotus the evening before the ceremony and bring it back. Anything I should take note of?”

“We will need two and it would be best to take the whole flower as they can be used as is. Just the petals would also be alright though. Also, keeping them in a jade box ensures that they will stay fresh until the next morning.”

Qiu Ling nodded. “I have some on me so that won’t be an issue.” He thought of the contents of his spatial ring and then also thought of the time he’d bring back the flower and finally couldn’t help but sigh. “I suppose that night, I won’t be allowed to stay here.” Ah, in the past, he wouldn’t have minded but these days, Jing He sure had spoiled him. He actually found it tough to imagine not spending that night here.

Jing He who had just calmed down blushed once more at those words but he forced himself to nod. “It … wouldn’t be good if you did.”

Qiu Ling sighed again and then started brushing through his beloved’s hair. “I suppose I’ll have to accept that. But in that case, we really should make our time until then count. Are you sure you don’t want to read me one of those lovely poems? I also wouldn’t mind one crafted by yourself …” He leaned closer, his eyes narrowing, and finally, he left another kiss on Jing He’s cheek. This small wish, maybe there actually was a chance to still get it fulfilled? Anyway, the night was still young and they were a couple in love. Why not go for a few more words of affection while they had the time?